Under what condition should you test the stopping action of your service brakes?

Testing the stopping action of your service brakes when the vehicle is moving about 5 mph is important for ensuring that the brakes are functioning correctly without putting yourself or others in danger. At this low speed, you can assess the effectiveness of the brakes and observe their response without risk of significant harm. This practice allows the driver to identify any issues with the brakes—such as slow response times or unusual sounds—while maintaining control of the vehicle.

Testing the brakes at a complete stop does not provide information about how the brakes will perform when the vehicle is in motion, making it less useful for ensuring safety on the road. Checking the brakes right before a stop sign or while going downhill could be too late to address any brake problems, as these situations often require immediate and reliable braking. Thus, the best practice is to conduct the brake check while the vehicle is in motion at a safe, low speed.